Sharing our news!

Since finding out we were expecting on October 23 we have wanted to SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!  We waited to tell our families until after our first ultrasound.  Those 2 weeks between finding out and first seeing our little one FLEW by, thankfully.  We told our extended families on Thanksgiving (8 weeks) and everyone else will find out at Christmas (12 weeks.)

November 7: I had my first ultrasound and Matt was at practice and wasn't able to attend.  It wasn't until I saw that little sac in my uterus that I even had the urge to tell anyone.  Waiting 3 hours to tell Matt was pure torture!  While I waited for him to come home I made copies of our ultrasound pics for everyone (note: my print cartridge was out of ink so I had to run to Target to pick up a new one...poor planning!)  I had bought cards the day before at HEB that just said "BABY" on the outside, and "God's most precious blessing" on the inside.  It was perfect!  I addressed the cards to Uncle Robby and Aunt Stephanie and Cousin Mason, Nana and Pawpaw, Mama K and Daddy J and Aunt Laura and Cousin Brooks.  On the inside I wrote "Expected arrival July 4, 2012.  Proud parents, Matt and Amanda" and attached the ultrasound pictures.  

We told Robby and Stephanie first and I think Stephanie knew as soon as she saw the outside of the card. There was lots of tears and hugs and we left there with some great pregnancy books! :)  It was also the only place we didn't get pictures.  :(

Next we went to Matt's parents house and it wasn't until Diana had the card opened that she realized what was going on.  I had told her just days earlier that our IUI didn't work (which I still feel badly about lying to her about!)  so she wasn't expecting anything.  Her immediate reaction was to cry and hug us while yelling "you lied to me!  You lied to me!" over and over, lol.  Once they calmed down we facetimed with Sara and shared the news with her.  (Sara made me SWEAR I wouldn't show the picture to anyone!)

Last we headed to my parents house (we had to wait for my mom to get home) and I think they knew something was up when Matt came over there with me.  We tried to play it off by saying we were bringing over football tickets and Matt wanted to see Brooks, but they quickly figured it out.  They NEVER see Matt during football season.  Once mom was home we handed her the card and I'm pretty sure they didn't even read anything and just started in with the hugs and tears.  Everyone was really excited...there is no better feeling in the world than seeing your loved ones so deeply happy for you.  :)

November 24, Thanksgiving: we stayed in Katy since Matt had practice and facetimed with his family once he got home.  Diana gathered everyone around the computer and asked us what we were thankful for and we replied with "We're thankful that we're having a baby!"  Everyone screamed and cried and Stephanie got some great pics.

Later we went over to Mama Jo's for Thanksgiving lunch with my family.  Laura and I had made a onesie for Brooks that said "Big Cousin" only, Laura and Brooks weren't there when we arrived so we had to wait.  Once they arrived she handed Brooks to me and I walked her over to Mama Jo and Auntie Carol in the kitchen to show them her shirt.  They didn't understand at first and asked "Why does Brooks have a big cousin shirt on?  She's not your cousin, she's your niece."  I told them she was the big cousin to me and Matt's baby and Mama Jo said "but you and Matt don't have a baby."  It took a few second before they finally realized what was happening, then...cue more tears and hugs!  

Laura took a video of us telling them but it's rotated weird and I can't figure out how to un-rotate it.  I have Matt looking into it.  

December 17: By this time we had already had 8 ultrasounds and heard the little heartbeat 7 times.  I'm not  quite out of the first trimester but we were too excited NOT to put it on our Christmas cards.  We mailed them on December 16 and the phone calls, text messages and facebook posts started early Saturday morning and have not stopped since!  It was so perfect to put the news on our Christmas card so everyone could find out together.  Perfect!

Sharing this news has honestly been some of the best moments of my life.  We have been praying for God to entrust us with a child for SO LONG, and along the way we have had so many people praying for us.  For us to finally be able to say that God has answered our prayers is a moment I honestly didn't think would ever happen for us.  We are truly, TRULY thankful for this moment and that we have such great families to share this special time.